Universal Design

What is Universal Design?

Universal Design is a process, Not an outcome.

The built environment applications with equal success. "Universal" means it works for everyone. It enforces a single design solution without needing adaptations or specialized design.

UD Is a holistic approach that focuses on all users of a product, environment or system
Achieves improved usability for the entire user population
Offers guidelines for achieving a goal and provides a dimension/solution that will accommodate that goal

8 Goals of UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Body fit. Accommodating a wide range of body sizes and abilities
Comfort. Keeping demands within desirable limits of body function
Awareness. Ensuring that critical information for use is easily perceived
Understanding. Making methods of operation and use intuitive, clear, and unambiguous
Wellness. Contributing to health promotion, avoidance of disease, and prevention of injury
Social integration. Treating all groups with dignity and respect
Personalization. Incorporating opportunities for choice and the expression of individual preferences
Cultural appropriateness. Respecting and reinforcing cultural values and any design project's social, economic and environmental context.

Removing Barriers Benefit Us All

Eliminating barriers can benefit everyone in various ways.

For example, ramps make navigating public spaces easier for many people, not just disabled people. They can be a big help for parents pushing young children in strollers and people with mobility issues who struggle with stairs.

Did you know OXO kitchen utensils was created people with arthritis in mind? Did you know text message was originally invented for people with hearing impaired to communicate? We are all benefiting from that daily bases.

As society ages, the importance of creating spaces that are both accessible and conducive to aging in place becomes increasingly evident.

Removing barriers not only enhances the quality of life for seniors but also ensures that whether some of us are visually impaired, have motor issues, or have none of the above, to have access to everything.